How to Ace Your Phone Interview: A Guide on How to Do It
The first challenge to your dreamy employment is usually associated with phone interviews. Although to some of them they might not appear so daunting compared to face-to-face meetings, they too have their share of challenges. Your voice, preparation, and professionalism have to take all the heavy lifting when you do not use body language and other visual signals. Want to ensure you move to the top or to top the list? Here is how to make sure you shine- but not in the wrong way.
1. Address it as a Personal Interview
That you are not meeting in the face-to-face does not imply that you must be minimal. Watch your appearance (yes, even when nobody can see you- because it makes a difference to your attitude), remain erect and show your teeth (smile). Strange as it may sound, smiling alters the tone of your voice and makes you sound more involved and pumped up.
2. Do your Own Homework
Study the company in details. Become aware of their mission, values, latest about them and the position you are applying to. The candidate should also prepare some good questions to ask the interviewer. This is a sign of authentic interest and action.
3. Know your Resume Back to Front
Make sure that you have expected any section of your resume. Report a showcase of achievements with particular examples and put quantities when possible. In case of gaps or change of careers, make brief truthful explanations.
4. Design the Appropriate Environment
Use a place with no distractions- a quiet place. Make the people around you aware that you will be attending an important call. Keep a glass of water next to you and ensure your phone is charged to the full. As much as possible use a landline or good cell signal to prevent the dropped call.
5. Get Your Stuff Ready
Get a copy of your resume, the job description, and any notes out before you. This way you can refer to them easily without tripping. It is better not to read directly out of a script, interviewers can notice when people are reading.
6. Listen Active Listening
There are no visual cues, and when you cannot see the question it can be understood in the wrong way, or one may talk over the interviewer. It is important to listen, take a moment and think through the question after which you should not worry to get a clarification in case of lack of understanding. This is considerate and you will be sure that you are saying the right things.
7. Dominate Your Tone and Pace
Talk in a moderate tone in a clear manner. Prohibit the use of filler words such as \um or like.\seroango falls short of the Greek god in the aspect of endings. Write a practice approach by answering most common questions out loud in order to gain confidence. Consider recording yourself so that you can know what to improve.
8. Emphasize to Your Soft Skills
As you will not be able to show any body language to the interviewer, you should use the voice to highlight your communication abilities, energy, and professionalism. Be fluent in using the positive language and show the real interest in the position and the company.
9. Prepare Yourself to Behavior Questions
Organize the answers according to STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). When you are asked to explain a case, make sure you draw some examples to demonstrate your teamwork, problem-solving skills and adaptiveness.
10. Instant follow up
Write a thank you email the same day or the next day. Refer to whatever was discussed so that you make it personal. Express again your interest in the position and the value of the opportunity that you are getting.
Final Thought
The phone interviews are your opportunity to have a good first impression. You can make it so that a 30-minute call becomes your stepping stone of your next move. Keep Cool, be yourself and make your qualifications speak up.